Document Description:
Almost four years prior to the founding of the Freedom Party of Ontario, Robert Metz prepared research materials – over time – concerning the marketing of a political party to advocate individual freedom. In 1980, he and Marc Emery prepared to form a party named the Enterprise Party of Ontario. These research notes were initially prepared in anticipation of the launch of that party.Continue reading »

In this brief news radio clip, it is reported that London council has decided to hand over its troubled downtown kiosks to Marc Emery, who has offered to clean them up and maintain them in exchange for the revenue he earns from advertisers using the kiosks.

In this news item, it is reported that Marc Emery will be challenging a resolution by London City Council that approved a $100,000.00 budget for a London Business Improvement Area (BIA) association that, pursuant to a provincial law, could be formed and funded by taxes imposed upon businesses within the area. It is reported that the motion is to be heard by the Ontario Supreme Court on June 26.

In this extended news item, Marc Emery explains why he is opposed to the new Business Improvement Area tax in west London, Ontario; he explains that 1/3rd of the number originally queried about imposing the tax are currently opposed to the tax, and that Emery expects to find 85 to 90% of business persons in the area to be opposed to it. He explains that about 300 businesses were needed to oppose the imposition of the tax, and that about 110 did oppose (however, the vast majority of the 850 or so businesses polled about the tax did not respond to the questionnaire, and the absence of their response was taken by the city to be equivalent to a vote in favour of the tax). Emery submits that about 15 or 20 businesses were able to get the tax imposed. He submits that although 800+ businesses will be forced to contribute taxes, only about 30 businesses will benefit from the money spent (the other businesses being too far away from where the money will be spent). A full 6% of the $100,000.00 in tax revenues collected will come from just one of the 800+ taxed businesses: insurer London Life.

This recording is a combination of two recordings, the second – having occurred one day later – was London Mayor Al Gleeson’s response to Emery’s position on the BIA tax. Gleason essentially takes the position that, for those who were out-voted, “too bad”. He takes issue with Emery’s submission about only 30 businesses benefitting. He also explains that the enabling provincial legislation was imposed in 1977 (which was a year in which Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives were in government).

Radio show “Voices” profiles the ongoing dispute between Marc Emery (who, in 1984, would co-found Freedom Party of Ontario) and west London’s business community (and Mayor Al Gleeson) over the imposition of a new tax on business owners in west London. It is reported that Emery will not pay a new Business Improvement Area (BIA) tax, and could face court action if he does not pay. Marc Emery describes who was motivated to ask for the tax and why. He explains that businesses should be free to spend their own money advertising as they see fit, rather than being forced to pay into a pool that will be used to promote the downtown (which, he explains, will not work). Jack Blair, president of the Downtown Business Improvement Association says that those who oppose the tax simply do not understand the benefits of what it will achieve. Mayor Al Gleeson is heard stating that the tax is a legal by-law and that the city will seek enforcement through the courts against a person who does not pay it. He criticizes the validity of Emery’s petition (which he is circulating among other store owners in the area) and says that Emery should spend his efforts supporting the BIA, rather than opposing it.

In this brief news item, it is reported that Marc Emery appeared before a special meeting of the London Board of Control and offered to assume control of London’s downtown kiosks that have become eyesores, covered with posters. He proposes that he will take care of the kiosks if he is permitted to keep the advertising revenues. Tongue-in-cheek, Emery explains that he’ll set aside two kiosks for public postering purposes so that the people will not poster the rest but, if they do, he’ll have the perpetrator covered with glue and postered, then handcuffed to the kiosk with a sign explaining why he’s in the state he is in.

In this news broadcast, it is reported that London Bookstore owner Marc Emery (who, in 1984, would co-found Freedom Party of Ontario) who has announced that he will not pay a new Business Improvement Area (BIA) tax, could face court action if he does not pay. Marc Emery describes who was motivated to ask for the tax and why; and he describes the fact that those business owners who did not respond to a questionnaire about imposing the tax were deemed to be in favour of the tax, such that the city then created the bylaw for the small handful of business persons who wanted the money to do with it as their association wanted to do with it. Mayor Al Gleeson is heard stating that the tax is a legal by-law and that the city will seek enforcement through the courts against a person who does not pay it. It is reported that Emery is circulating a petition among other store owners in the area.

In this news broadcast, it is reported the London Bookstore owner Marc Emery (who, in 1984, would co-found Freedom Party of Ontario) has – like several other business owners in west London – received a notice that he is required to pay a new tax in connection with the founding of a Business Improvement Area. It is reported that he is circulating a petition among other store owners in the area, and that he will refuse to pay the tax. In addition, it is reported that Emery has offered to London’s Board of Control that he will take-over London’s kiosks, which have become over-run with graffiti, if he can keep the advertising revenue that they generate.